Safety device for power wringers



April 29, 1924. 1,491,810

, F. MARQUART SAFETY DEVICE FOR POWER WRINGERS Filed pril 20. 1921' I 2Sheets-Sheet 1 20 22 fiat /& I

April 29, 1924- F. MARQUART SAFETY DEVICE FOR POWER WRINGER S FiledApril 20. 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 fazfeniaz'r fi/W MAFOUART awa W 16Patented Apr. 29, E924,

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FRANK inn-Reamer, or crinvnneivnonuo.

SAFETY DEVICE FOR POWER- WRINGERS.

Application filed April 20, 1921. Serial No. 463,066.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK MARQUART, a-

citizen of the United States, resident of Cleveland, county of Cuyahoga,and State of Ohio, have invented new and useful Improvements in SafetyDevices for Power Wringers, of which the following is a specification,the principle of the invention being herein explained and the best modein which I have contemplated applying that principle, so as todistinguish it from other invent-ions. My invention relates to safetydevices for wringers, used in washing clothes, and particularly todevices of this character for use upon power wringers. Moreparticularly, my invention relates ,to a safety device positionedadjacent the wringer and adapted to control an electric switch in serieswith the circuit by means of which the wringer and usually theassociated tub are operated. My improvements are not limited to use withwringers but are capable of general application to many kinds of powermachines which are provided with moving exposed dangerous elements andare operated or fed by workmen adjacently positioned.

The annexed drawings and the following description present in detail oneform of my invention, the same disclosing, however, but

one of the many forms in which the spirit of my invention may beexemplified.

In said annexed drawings:

Figure 1 represents a front elevation of a wringer in connection withthe operations of which my improved safety device is utilized;

Figure 2 represents a horizontal section, taken in the plane' indicatedby the line IIII, Figure 1, and illustrating particularly a plate whichis moved transversely of the wringer as the safety device is operated;

Figure 3 represents a'longitudinal vertical section of a port-ion of anelectric switch utilized in connection with the operation of my improvedsafety device;

Figure 4 represent a vertical transverse section, taken in the planeindicated by the line IV-IV, F igure' 3;

Figure 5 represents avertical transverse section, taken in the planeindicated by the line V'V, Figure 3;

Figures 6 and 7 representplan views of a wringer in connection withwhich my improved safety device is utilized, showing, respectively,operating and open positions of the device; I

Figure 8 represents an end elevation of the wringer and safety device,the cover of the switch box being removed and the switch being in closedposition; and

Figure 9 represents a view similar to that shown in Figure 8, exceptthat the safety device and the switch are shown in open position.

Referring to the annexed drawings in which the same ordinals in theseveral views refer to like elements, a wringer is suggested by theordinal 1, having the operating rolls 2 and 3. The wringer, as is trueof standard apparatus of this character, is presumed to be operated bygearing or other suitable power-transmitting means from a motor whichusually also operates an associated tub. Whenever the hands, hair orclothing of the operator are drawn in by the rolls of the wringer orbecome entangled in the other moving elements thereof, or the clotheswhich are being wrung become wrapped about the rolls or otherwiseentangled in the mechanisms, it is desirable and necessary, of course,quickly to stop the wringer. My invention relates to thiswringer-stopping class of safety devices, inasmuch as I do not attemptto free con tinuously-operating rolls one from the other or practice anyone of the other expedients variously utilized for minimizing thedangers incident to any one of the contingencies hereinbefore mentioned.Now, in order to stop the wringer, it is necessary to open the circuitpassing the power both for the tub and the wringer. Theswitch is usuallypositioned upon the tub and almost invariably is positioned aconsiderable distancefrom the wringer so thatit is not available forquick operation, particularly if some part of the operators person orsome of her clothmg are caught in the wringer.

An essential element of my invention is the provision of an electricswitch adjacent the wringer and preferably supported upon the wringerframe. To this end I locate the switch 5 for the motor (not shown) adacent to and preferably upon the wringer frame 1, the conductor beingindicated by the ordinal 4. ll provide upon the two sides of the wringermembers 6 and 7 which are preferably thin frame members presenting broadbearing surfaces, as plainly shown in Figure 1, and extending across therespective faces of the wringer 1, said members 6 and 7 being hinged toone end of the wringer frame at one end 8 and resiliently spaced at theother end 9 from the other end of the wringer frame. The ends 9 of thebearing members 6 and 7 are, however, secured together by means of atransverse member 10, preferably a metal plate, of the form and designshown in Figure 2, the detail of which will be hereinafter fullyexplained. It is evident, therefore, that a swlnging movement of eitherof the members 6 or 7 upon the end 8 will cause the other member to movecontrariwise relatively to the wringer 1, an equal distance. The members6 and 7 are normally spaced equal distances from the wringer 1 at theends 9, by means of coil springs 11 and 12, Figure 8, disposed betweenthe frame of the switch 5 and the inner faces, respectively, of thebearing members 6 and 7.

The transverse metal connecting member 10 is formed with two end slots13 and 14, through which screws 15 and 16 pass for the urpose of holdingand aligning said member upon the switch frame 1 and yet permit alimited transverse movement in either direction. Furthermore, saidconnecting member 10 is formed with an elonated central slot 17 havingenlarged areas 18 and .19 at its respective ends. The normal width ofthe slot 17 permits the passage therethrough of a pin 20 but does notpermit the passage therethrough of an en larged portion 21 of said pin20. The d1ameter of the areas 18 and 19, however, is great enough topermit the passage therethrough of said enlarged portion 21 of the pin20. Secured to the top of the in 20'is an operating button 22. The pm 201s further formed with a shoulder 23 adjacently below the enlargedportion 21 which has a diameter greater than that of the areas 18 and19, so that the upward movement of the pin 20 is limited by the stonformed by said shoulder 23. The central portion of the pin 20 consistsof an elongated thin flat ortlon 24, whose form is plainly shown inFigures 3 and 5. At its bottom end said pin 20 is formed into anothercylindrical portion 25, similar to the upper enlarged portion 21.

Secured to a wringer frame member 1' is a coil spring 26, also securedat its other end to the bottom face of the bottom cylindrical portion 25of the in 20. The tension of the-spring 26 is suc that it tends to liftthe pin 20 so that the enlarged portion 21 thereof iueeaeie will riseabove the transverse plate 10, i. e., the position shown in Figure 9.This lastmentioned position is that in which the switch controlling thewringer operation is in its open position. The detail of the switch isno part of my invention and I shall explain enough of this detail andhave shown enough in the accompanying drawings to illustrate how thevertical actuation of the pin 20 will open and close the switch. It issufficient to say, in so far as my invention is concerned, that thecontrol of the movements of the pin 20, as effected by my invention,results in the opening and closing of the switch so as to effect theproper functioning of my safety device.

Referring now to certain details of the standard switch which I haveshown for purpose of illustration, it will be noted that a swingingdouble contact member is indicated by the ordinal 27, having the endleaf contacts 27 adapted to close or open the circuit by being inregistry or out of registry with the contacts 27 This contact member 27is rigidly secured upon one face of a cam member 28 which is rotatablysecured to a pin 29. Secured to one edge of the plate portion 24 ofthepin 20, is an angular arm 30 and the opposite edge of said plate 24 isformed with a laterally extended longitudinal projection 31, forming atits ends upper and lower shoulders 32. The plate 24 is formed with anelongated slot 24 intermediate the arm 30 and the extension 31. Mountedupon the switch housing is an irregularly shaped member consistlng of aHat substantially rectangular portion 34, disposed upon one side of theplate 24 and an arcuate member 35 disposed upon the opposite side of theplate 24. This member 35 is formed with an arcuate slot 35. Within thisslot the angular member 36 of the cam member 28 is adapted to play. Theplate portion 24 of the pin 20 moves vertically relatively to the pin 29through the medium of the elon ated slot ber 34. A coiled sprin 39 ismounted upon the pin 29 and, in eit er of the closed or open conditionsof theswitch, bears with cam member 28 secured tothe pin 29 \and towhich the reciprocating contact member 27 is secured. The ends of thesprin 39 are indicated respectively, by the ordmals 40 and 41, opencondition of the swltch.

igure 3, this figure showing the its tensioned ends upon thearm 36 ofthe 1% It will be evident from the foregoing description and theaccompanying drawings that, the switch being closed, as shown -m Figure8, if, for any reason, pressure is put upon either of the bearingmembers 6 and 7, the same will be moved inwardly at the end 9 toward therolls 2 and 3 of the wringer, the other pressure member being moved out-Wardly an equal distance; thatthis inward movement, for instance, amovement of the member 6, Figures 7 and 9, will be against the tensionof the spring 11, resultin also in an elongation of the spring 12, thajust so soon as this movement results in bringing enlarged portion 21 ofthe vertical pin into alignment with the enlarged area 18 of the slot17, the spring 26 will force said pin 20 upwardly until the shoulder 23abuts the vertically rigid metal connecting member 10; that said upwardmovement of the pin 20 will cause the upper shoulder 32 formed 4 by. thelateral extension 31 to move the upper arm 38 of the spring member 38;that during this upward. movement of the member 20, the annular arm 30projecting from the plate portion 24 will lift the end 40 0f the spring39, thus causing said spring to tend to turn the cam member 28 and hencethe contact member 27, this movement of the cam member 28, under thepressure of the end 40 of'the spring 39 being revented by reason of thefact that end s oulders 38 of the spring arms 38 abut shoulders 28 ofthe cam member 28, preventing the'latter from turning; that just so soonas the upper shoulder 32 of the extension 31'formed upon the platemember 24 lifts the upper spring arm 38 and consequently lifts the upperholding member 38 above the shoulder 28, the cam 28 will be free toswing, under the tension of the end 40 of the spring 39, so that saidspring end 40 will move the arm 36 of the cam member 28 in the arcuateslot 35 and to the upper part of said slot, as shown in Figure 5,resulting in the turning movement of the cam 28 and, consequently, ofthe contact member 27 to its open position. The result is, that theseveral elements are disposed in the positions shown in Figure 9, theelectric switch being open. It is evident that, because there can be norelative transverse movement between the enlarged portion 21 of the pin20, and the 'slot 17, the compressed spring 11 cannot push the bearingmember Gout to its normal position, nor can the extended spring 12 pullthe bearing member 7 into its normal position. However, when theoperating button 22 is manually depressed, the enlarged portion 21 ofthe member 20 is pushed below the slot 17, and the members 6 and 7,under the action of the springs 11 and 12, assume their normalpositions. Furthermore, the downward actuation of the member 20 resultsin cooperative movements of the spring elements contrariwise to thosejust described in detail, effecting the closing of the switch. Thisdownward movement of the member 20 also subjects the spring 26 tocompression, said compressed spring, however, being renderedinefl'ective because the transverse movement of the members 6 and 7 intotheir normal positions has resulted in bringing the narrow portion ofthe slot 17 adjacently above the enlarged portion 21 of the member 20 sothat said member 20 cannot be moved upwardly by the compressed spring26. I

I wish-particularly to point out that any movement, voluntary orinvoluntary, of the operators body toward the wringer 1, willnecessarily result in an inward movement of either the bearing member 6or member 7, effecting by the means shown and described, an opening ofthe switch. It is evident that any dangerous movement of the operatorsbody, due to the entanglement of any portion of the body or of theclothing in the rolls or other wringer elements would be inwardly of thewringer and that, therefore,

any such dangerous entanglement will result in stopping the wringer. 0fcourse, the switch can be instantly opened by means of the operatorvoluntarily pushing a bearing member 6 or 7 to its inner position, butin the absence of such voluntary action, the involuntary movement of theoperators' body would'result necessarily in a pressure being put uponthe bearing member 6 or 7 to open the switch, before such movement ofthe operators body or clothing into the wringer rolls had assumeddangerous proportions.

What I claim is:

1. In safety devices for power wringers, the combination with a wringerand a source of power including a switch; of apair of pressure membershinged at one end upon" 'other end of said wringer; means normallyholding the switch closed; means tending to open the switch; and meansactuated by the inward movement of either of said pressure members andadapted to permit said opening means to function.

2. In safety devices for power wringers, the combination with a wringerand a source of power including a switch; of a pair of pressure membershinged at one end upon the opposite faces, respectively, of said wringerand adjacent one end of the latter, said members extending across thefaces of the wringer; coiled springs spacing the other ends,respectively, of said members from the other end of said wringer; atransversely extendingmember secured to said pressure members adjacenttheir free ends; means cooperating with said transverse member to holdthe switch closed; and means tending to open the switch, the inwardmovement of either of said pressure members neutralizing the cooperationof said transverse member and said' means to permit said opening meansto function.

3. In, safety devices for power wringers, the combination with a wringerand a source of power including a switch; of a pair of pressure membershinged at one end uponv the opposite faces, respectivelv, of saidwringer and adjacent one end of the latter. said members extendingacross the faces of the wringer; coiled springs spacing the other ends,respectively. of said members from the I other end of said wringer; atransversely extending member secured to said pressure members adjacenttheir free ends; means cooperating with said transverse member to holdthe switch closed; means tending to open the switch, the inward movementof either of said pressure members neutralizing the cooperation of saidtransverse member and said means to permit said opening wringer andadjacent one end of the latter.

said members extending across the faces of the wringer; coiled springsspacing the other ends, respectively, of said members from the other endof said wringer; a transversely extending member secured to saidpressure members adjacent their free ends; said transverse member beingformed with an elongated slot having a pair of enlarged spaced areas; a.vertically disposed pin transversely intersecting said slot and formedwith a shoulder of a diameter greater than said slot and less than theenlarged areas thereof; means limiting the vertical movement of saidpin, an operating button secured toone end of said pin; and a coiledspring tending to move said pin through said slot, said pin beingconnected to the switch.

5. ln safety devices for power wringers, the combination with a wring-erand a source of power including a switch; of a member supported by thewringer frame and movable toward and from the wringer; meansco-operating with said member and connected to said switch automaticallyto open the latter upon the inward movement of said'member; meansholding said member in measure its inner position; and manually-operablemeans for closing said switch. said holding means being renderedinefi'ective by the closing of the switch, permitting said member toassume its normal position.

6. In safety devices for power wringers, the combination with a Wringerand a source of power including a switch; of a member hinged at one endto the wringer frame; a coiled spring spacing the other end of saidmember from said frame; means co-operating with said member andconnected to said switch automatically to open the latter upon theinward movement of said 'member; means holding said member in its innerposition; and manually opera'ble means for closing said switch, saidholding means being rendered ineffective by the closing of the switch,permitting said spring to move said member to its normal position.

7. In safety devices for power wringers, the combination with a w'ringerand a source of power including a switch; of a pair of members supportedby the wringer frame and respectively movable toward .and from the twosides of the wringer; means cooperating with said members and connectedto said switch automatically to open the latter upon the inward movementof either said members; means holding'saidmembers in their innerpositions; and manually-operable means for closing said switch, saidholding means being rendered ineffective by the closing of the switch,permitting the members to assume their normal positions.

8. In safety devices, the combination with a machine having movabledangerous ele ments and provided with a switch; of a movable pressuremember supported by the machine frame adjacent said elements; meanscooperating with said member and connected to said switch automaticallyto open the latter upon the movement of said member, said means holdingsaid member in its moved position; and manually-operable means forclosing said switch, said holding means being rendered ineffective bythe closing of the switch, permitting said member to assume its normalposition.

9; In safety devices, the combination with a machine having movabledangerous elements and provided with a switch; of a pair of pressuremembers supported by the machine frame adjacent said elements andrespectively movable upon end pivots toward and from the latter; meanscooperating with said members and connected to said switch automaticallyto open the latter upon the inward movement of either of said members;manually-operable means for closing the switch; and means controlled bythe switch-closing means and tending'to move said members respectivelyto their normal postitions.

10. In safety devices, the combination with a machine having movabledangerous the latter upon the movement of said memelements and providedwith a switch; of a bers; manually-operable means for closing pair ofpivotally-connected pressure memthe switch; and means controlled by the16 hers supported by the machine frame adjaswitch-closing means andtending to move 5 cent opposite sides of said elements; means saidmembers to their normal position.

cooperating with said members and con- Signed by me this 4th day ofApril, 1921. nected to said switch automatically to open FRANK MARQUART.

